South Carolina QB coach suspended

Third-year assistant arrested for nuisance charges

COLUMBIA, S.C. -- South Carolina assistant G.A. Mangus was suspended by Gamecocks coach Steve Spurrier after being arrested in Greenville.

The third-year quarterbacks coach was charged with nuisance conduct after officers saw him urinating on a downtown street.

"G.A. has been suspended from all coaching activities until this matter is resolved," Spurrier said Tuesday in statement. "We are disappointed in his actions and will handle it accordingly."

Greenville Police Department spokesman Sgt. Jason Rampey said Mangus has been released from jail. Mangus, 42, faces a $470 fine if convicted.

Mangus, 42, was in Greenville for a meeting of state high school coaches.

Mangus apologized for his actions to Spurrier, athletic director Eric Hyman and the football team. "Last night, I acted irresponsibly and I deeply regret my actions," he said. "I take full responsibility."

The police report said Mangus was seen urinating on the curb and roadway. When officers talked to Mangus, he appeared "unsteady on his feet and he had a strong odor of alcoholic beverage coming from his person," according to the report.

Mangus' eyes were dilated and glazed over, the report said. Officers said his speech was slurred and "he was uncooperative in providing straight answers" to questions, according to the report.

He is scheduled to appear in court Aug. 26. It is unclear if he has an attorney.

Spurrier's action with Mangus is in line with team policy that calls for an immediate suspension for any player arrested.

Mangus was a former quarterback and staffer under Spurrier at Florida who was brought in from Middle Tennessee before the 2009 season, in part as a younger, milder hand to help the development of Stephen Garcia. Now both are under some form of suspension with the team set to open fall workouts on Aug. 3.

Garcia was suspended in April for the fifth time since arriving on campus in January 2007. He was allowed to return to voluntary player offseason workouts in May with Spurrier saying he still had more goals to meet before fully rejoining the team.

Spurrier told media at Southeastern Conference media days last week that Garcia was doing all he was asked. "So right now he, in all likelihood, will be set to return," Spurrier said then.

Garcia had been troubled by inconsistency and suspensions, the latest coming about two weeks after promising he wouldn't get in trouble again.

The Mangus-Garcia partnership fared better on the field. Garcia threw for 3,059 yards and a career-high 20 touchdowns last season as South Carolina won the SEC Eastern Division and played in the league's title game.

The Gamecocks were picked to repeat as SEC Eastern Division champions at last week's league media days.

Spurrier must move forward down an assistant. Mangus was critical in helping with South Carolina's gameplan and considered one of the team's best recruiters.